The Little Things Mean a Lot (Part Three)

This week we are looking at minding the details—caring for the little things that can make such a difference in the strength of a ministry. Today we add two final areas where little things have a great impact on our effectiveness:

V. Outside the church.

1. Remind yourself and any staff and main volunteers frequently how much people make judgments about the church by the way we act in public individually.  That means more than common courtesy and kindness are called for in restaurants and stores and events.

2. Many churches do nothing to “get on the map” in their area.  We can so easily assume everyone knows where we are. Consider these ways to get attention in a good way:

• Remind your faithful to talk up the church and invite friends.  There are still people who say they never go to church because no one invites them (hard as that is to believe).
• Sponsor a free car wash in your church parking lot.  No donations accepted.
• Sponsor a 5k or 10k race.

3. Keep your property attractive outside as well as inside.  Observers make judgments on this basis.

4. Advertize in popular neighborhood newspapers, widely read in some cities.

5. Advertise on the sports page rather than the church page.

6. Use the free public service announcements and “calendar events” on radio or TV stations.  Use news releases in big and small papers.

7. Have socials in ABFs that help your regulars invite others, with no risk of “entrapment” in a conversion talk.  We are all for conversion, but people will not invite friends if the invitation is about a fun social but the main point is the conversion talk.

8. Meet needs for the community.  It is easy to think only of the needs of your own members as you plan ministries and events.

• A food bank that helps the needy in the church but also in the community.
• A regular workshop on writing a resume for people out of work.
• Support groups for grief or cancer or alcohol or drugs or special predicaments like wayward children, special needs children, alcoholic spouses or parents, sexually abused, young single mothers, and more.
• Relief help for parents of special needs children.
• Partner with a local public school – to provide supplies, backpacks, clothing, tutoring.
• English language training for internationals.
• “Alpha”-type dinners to introduce Christianity, while making it easy for attendees to bring friends.
• Cooking classes.

VI. The pastor out in the community.

1. Don’t forget you always are representing Christ and the church.  There are no time clocks or off hours.

2. Tip well.  Not just 18%.  Word gets around.

3. Speak softly.  Forget the big stick.

4. Learn to listen.  Many of us get reminded of something in our own lives when we hear from others, and immediately take over the talking instead of listening with love.

5. Stay very current with financial obligations.

6. Be courteous and gracious while candid about points where you differ with others.

Little things do mean a lot, in all areas of church life.

Remember, the little pixels make the big picture.